Sunday, April 27, 2008

Check out the Internet ad below for my new listing at 519 W Melrose #301 in East Lakeview. This is a very sharp junior one bedroom almost on the lake. Everything you need and a location you want for under $200,000.

I have a three level, three bedroom plus family room town house hitting the market by the weekend. It is a really good looking home, well appointed and decorated. I met with the owners ready to give them the "business" about all the improvements they will need to do before listing... but the place looked terrific! I almost doubted myself that there was little if anything that needed to be done.

Just for the record... three bedroom plus family room, two and one-half-bath town house at 860 W Lakeside. Very close to Lake Michigan and the Sheridan Red Line stop. There is a garage spot and parking pad spot. Lakeside is a really pretty street with good looking architecture, mature trees and easy access to public transportation of all kinds.

All this for just $369,000

Sweet Family room. I love lower level family rooms (I have a duplex-down, so I'm bias).

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Fulton Market rooftop deck... this one bedroom loft condo we looked at had killer views.

You're a hop-skip-and-a-jump from downtown Chicago for $250K-$300K... including garage parking for your sweet ride. On this particular Sunday it was deadsville on this corner... but Fulton Market has an artsy vibe and some really cool things going on. Check out Explore Fulton Market

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I've spotted another three flat apartment building being converted to condos. Looks pretty good. This is a popular way to live... less neighbors and you get a common backyard and garage parking. The three flat condo buildings in my opinion are easier to maintain for the owners as well. On the one hand, you have to be more involved as an owner because you will most likely self manage the association. I suppose you could get a manager, but the cost benefit in my mind does not make sense. But on the other hand, you have to learn a thing or two about taking care of an actual building. The costs are split between just three sets of owners.

If the major work on the conversion is done well (roof, electrical, plumbing and masonry work), the maintenance costs should be low. You can save by doing your own landscaping, shoveling and cleaning. I think the folks looking to live in a three-flat building as opposed to a larger managed building may like to do these types of things.

This particular building is on the 4900 block of North Winchester in Ravenswood...located steps from the Metra station and a few blocks from the CTA Damen Brown Line stop. The building looks like it will feature a "duplex-down" model on the first and ground floors and two simplex units above. The duplex-down would feature three bedrooms and an extra family room. The simplexes should be two bedroom units with space for dining. This looks like a standard lot building, so to squeeze three bedrooms into the simplex floorplan at the cost of a nice common living area would be a mistake.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Peer through the blinds and squint real hard... you may find some super secret off market Chicago real estate.

I have a one bedroom, one bath condo coming on the market at 4250 N Marine Drive. You practically live in the Lake. It's an eighth floor unit with open northwest views of beautiful and historic Hutchinson Street.

Hutchinson Street house with Imperial Towers in the background

You can see the lake to the east as well if you are standing close to the window!

This condo has a really nice three year old kitchen and NEW windows. I'm personally painting the condo and having the bath and closets updated (well, my contractor Artistic Construction is). The home will look crisp and brand new. Imperial Towers features a sweet outdoor pool, NEW exercise room, 24/hr doorman, receiving room, lobby and on site management. Assesment is in the mid-$300s and includes heat and air conditioning along with the exercise room and pool. Garage parking is available for $200/month.

Call for information... asking $184,000K. Get a hold of me soon and you can customize paint and bath fixtures... hurry though. The updates will set this home apart from others in the building priced at or above this unit.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Ryne, Jillian and I had the good fortune of attending the Art Reach benefitdirected by Skye Enyeart. The benefit included a silent auction. We were invited by my good friend and construction contrator Jon Hill of Artistic Construction and his wife Dannah. Jon somehow still manages to do a lot of cool things around Chicago and he saved me from my lameness for another night.

Ravenswood and Lincoln Square offer so much for kids and familys. Lill Street Art Centerat Ravenswood and Montrose is one of those cool places you can only find in the city. We jumped at a chance to bid on local art for the home and get out with Ryno... he's a bit of night owl and he had a blast.

A tax is imposed upon the privilege of transferring title to, or beneficial interest in, real property located in the city, whether or not the agreement or contract providing for the transfer is entered into the city.

Thanks for the privilege to sell my own property... which I have the privilege to pay property taxes on and the privilege to pay transfer stamps on the purchase.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

I pulled over while driving from an appointment and took a shot of this new construction house a while back (no, that's not snow on April 1st). It's on School Street in West Lakeview about a block or so east of Ashland.

I prefer this type of design for my homes and condos. My dream is to do something like this on a much smaller scale and utilize the lot for more outdoor space. Dwell Magazine and others cover this type of design. I'd like to know more about this home's materials and construction.

My general contractor Jon Hill of Artistic Construction in Chicago loves concrete counter tops. Check out his post on this consideration when remodeling. View some more pictures at the link.

Jon has done remodel work for my personal homes in Albany Park and Ravenswood and for many of my clients living in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Avondale, South Loop etc... He offers suggestions and honest opinions on material choices and design.

Realtor Eric Rojas on HGTV's House Hunters

As seen in Chicago Magazine

Real Estate Broker and Author of this Blog

We are Chicago real estate brokers who began writing this blog in 2005. We represent clients buying, selling and renting properties. Our group has been Top 5% in sales volume for Chicago every year since 2006-2013!
All posts and photos are by Eric Rojas and Bob DePalma unless otherwise noted. Contact us at erojas@kalerealty.com for great service!